For the sixth year in a row, the Mathews High School varsity volleyball team earned both the Tidewater District regular season and tournament championship crowns.
The Lady Devils ended the regular season last Thursday with a four-set win over district foe Middlesex. On Monday, the MHS girls hosted the Tidewater District tournament, beating King William in the first round and besting Middlesex once again for the title.
In last Thursday’s regular season finale, Mathews won the first two sets against Middlesex by scores of 25-18 and 25-19. In the third set, the Chargers got on several scoring runs to win, 25-22. Mathews came back in the fourth set to end the match, 25-14.
The Devils played good defense, but at times the team’s serve reception and attacking was not at its best. Rachel Close had a good night with strong serve receive passing for the Devils; she also had 14 digs. Mackenzie Moughon led the team in aces with six, followed by Teeny Robbins with four, and Close, Casey Parrish and Maddie McCann with one each.
Parrish had a team-leading 19 kills, with McCann (12), Moughon (eight), Kacie Austin (four), Robbins (two) and Lindsay Crigler (one) also dominating the net.
On the defensive side, Parrish had 16 digs, followed closely by McCann, Close and Moughon with 14 each, and Crigler and Robbins with eight apiece. Crigler had 39 assists.
Mathews had little trouble dispatching King William in the first round of Monday night’s tournament, sweeping the Cavaliers in three sets by scores of 25-8, 25-5 and 25-14. All of the Devils saw the court for a good amount of time, and everyone contributed to the win.
Kill leaders were Moughon and McCann (seven each) followed by Austin and Parrish (three apiece). Ace leaders were Close with eight and Moughon with six. Parrish had six digs, followed by Close with four and Hailey Abernathy and Moughon with three apiece. Once again, Crigler was the team leader in assists with 15, while Shelby Ware had four.
After #2 seed Middlesex defeated West Point, the stage was set for a Mathews-Middlesex rematch. The Chargers gave the Devils a fight, but Mathews once again prevailed. Middlesex took the first set, 25-21, and lost the next three, 25-19, 25-20 and 25-17.
Moughon led the team in kills with 14, followed by Parrish (10), McCann (eight), Robbins (six) and Austin (three). Robbins had 18 digs, with Crigler and McCann adding 15 each. McCann was tops in aces with seven. Crigler had 35 assists.
Following the tournament, all-district players were recognized. Casey Parrish was named the Tidewater District MVP. She also made first-team all-district, along with McCann and Crigler. Close and Moughon received second-team honors.
Mathews hosts the first round of the Region A, Division I tournament on Monday against West Point at a time to be determined.